Learn to ski & ride at Lake Tahoe

Jan 9th 2013

Is one of your New Year’s resolutions to ski or ride more – or to improve your skills so you can reach that next level? January is Learn to Ski & Snowboard month, and while it’s an opportunity for beginners to learn how to ski and snowboard, it’s also a great time for anyone to refresh their skills. And with the Ski Lake Tahoe resorts offering clinics ranging from jibs and jumps to backcountry safety (and pretty much everything in between), there’s a ski or snowboard lesson suited to your needs.

Learn to Ski & Ride Specials
In honor of this month, a number of resorts are offering special values for new skiers and snowboarders. Alpine Meadows has a $39 package that includes half-day instruction, a beginner lift ticket and equipment rental offered on January 23 and 27. Squaw Valley is offering a similar package on January 12 and 26. Sierra-at-Tahoe also offers a $39 Learn to Ski or Ride package, which includes a limited access lift ticket, rental equipment and a 2.5-hour first-timer lesson. This package is valid all nearly all season long, with a few holiday blackout dates.

Heavenly is offering two Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month specials. Beginners have the option of taking two days of lessons and receiving the third lesson free, or taking one day of lessons and receiving a second day at 50 percent off. It’s also incentivizing skiers and riders who introduce a friend or family member to the sport during the month of January. As part of the “Bring a Friend Challenge,” anyone who brings a friend or family member to the Ski and Ride School to participate in one of Heavenly's Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month specials will be entered for a chance to win a two-night vacation package to Heavenly. Talk about a great time to show your friend/relative/significant other what you love about skiing (and snowboarding)!

Both Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows offer Jibs and Jumps, which teaches you how to play all over the mountain and in the terrain parks with confidence, awareness and safety. Sierra-at-Tahoe and Alpine Meadows offer programs targeted at skiers 55+ who want to improve and update their skills. Alpine Meadows also give skiers and snowboarders a free taste of expert instruction with its Wednesday Tips clinic.

Squaw’s unique Chutes and Hikes clinic allows skiers and riders to hike the Palisades, Mainline Pocket and Granite Peak (as conditions permit), and explore the other nooks and crannies of the mountain not found on the trail map.

Both Sierra-at-Tahoe and Kirkwood are offering backcountry clinics that educate participants on backcountry safety and teach proper use of avalanche equipment. Kirkwood offers an AIARE Avalanche Level 1 certification course as well.

But that's not all. There are plenty of other options as well, including kids lessons, private lessons and telemark, to name a few. Make this the year you learn something new - or introduce someone to the joys of skiing and snowboarding.